June 9th 2024.
Over the weekend, the Pro Motocross Championship's Thunder Valley National took place in Lakewood, Colorado. It was the 20th year of the event, and fans were treated to an exciting showdown between two of the sport's top athletes.
Jett Lawrence and his brother Hunter Lawrence, both known for their incredible talent and dominance in the sport, lived up to their reputation as they battled it out in the 450 class. In the end, Jett emerged victorious, edging out his brother for the top spot. The two brothers had traded finishes in the two motos, with Hunter taking the first and Jett taking the second, ultimately giving Jett the overall win.
In the 250 class, up-and-coming star Haiden Deegan continued to impress, claiming his third overall win in as many races. The 18-year-old phenom took first in the opening moto and second in the second moto, securing his spot on the podium.
For Jett Lawrence, the defending 450 class series champion, the victory at Thunder Valley was a redemption after a tough crash at Hangtown last week. Despite riding injured with a cut on his leg and a sore shoulder, Jett was able to push through and come out on top.
In an interview after the race, Jett Lawrence shared, "Going into the second moto, my legs were shot, so I had no legs at the start. I dug deep and just told myself in my head, 'Stay there, stay there.' I was able to capitalize on a mistake by Hunter in one of the turns."
Another notable racer from the event was Justin Cooper, who earned the holeshot in both 450 motos but couldn't maintain his lead, finishing third in both races.
In the 250 class, Deegan's overall win was well-deserved as he passed Frenchman Tom Vialle in the first moto and held on until the end. In the second moto, Deegan took second to Chance Hymas, while Vialle finished fourth.
With this win, Deegan remains in the lead for the 250 championship standings, with a 23-point lead over Hymas. In the 450 class, it's Hunter Lawrence who is currently in the top spot with 129 points, followed by Chase Sexton at 123 points and Jett Lawrence at 113 points.
Next week, the Pro Motocross Championship will head to High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania for its fourth stop of the 2024 season.
While no Colorado riders qualified for the 250 or 450 motos, local resident Brett Stralo competed in the 250 consolation race. As a U.S. Army veteran, Stralo's motivation for being on the track goes beyond his own personal results.
The 36-year-old races for the Veteran Motocross Foundation, an organization that uses motocross to empower veterans. Stralo, who served two combat tours in Afghanistan as a helicopter mechanic, also started Warrior MX, which provides veterans with the opportunity to be part of his team on race day as a form of mental health therapy.
"My goal at this age is to make the fast 40 and to make the main," Stralo shared. "But every time I show up here and am able to get those wristbands and give them this experience, and introduce them to this community, it's a win."
Colorado's most well-known pro racer, Eli Tomac, was unable to compete on Saturday due to a thumb injury. The Cortez native is a three-time 450 class circuit champion and also won the 250 class title in 2013.
Overall, it was an exciting and eventful weekend at Thunder Valley, with racers showcasing their skills and determination on the track. Want more sports news? Be sure to sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all the latest analysis on Denver's teams.
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